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Pseroogy,

Here are some additional thoughts regarding your post:

Your adviser may be disconnected from the recruitment and PR challenges entirely --and needs to be looped in so he can support you. I recommend you leave him both a voicemail and a dated letter addressing the following concerns:

1) low numbers among both fraternities and lack of awareness of a fraternity system by the non-Greek students

2) That you would like him to come to a meeting to discuss recruitment and the chapter’s future at the university. Offer a few dates and be flexible around his schedule, as you really want his mentorship and ideas on how to be successful

3) You’d like to get the contact information for area alumni who could assist the chapter in brainstorming recruitment and chapter life ideas, and could support as additional advisory board members

4) Provide your contact information and thank him for all he does for the fraternity

5) Give him a deadline (nicely worded!) to respond

You have two local fraternities who have the same numbers issue—approach the other chapter about forming a council like an IFC – the initial purpose of which is to increase Public Awareness of the fraternity system. Between the two chapters, you can create a PR and recruitment campaign.

While you have no Greek Life office, you probably do have a school of communication. Go to a public relations professor and describe your challenge—you are seeking ways to promote Fraternity Life on campus. The professor can see this as a great opportunity for his students to apply what they are learning in his class into a PR campaign.

Approach the Greek Council with your situation. The sorority numbers are up—so find out what they are doing right—meet with the recruitment chairs of the sororities and talk frankly about the challenges with the fraternities.

You say your chapter has amazing brotherhood—what does this mean? Find out from the guys themselves! Brainstorm with your chapter on ways to increase campus visibility—no idea is a dumb one—take a chapter meeting to stand in front of the guys with an easel board and a marker and take their recommendations. Find out what they define as “brotherhood” and how your fraternity fills a need for men on campus.

Put together a flier and an action plan on making sure that all the men on campus get a copy of. It should outline who you are, what you stand for, benefits of membership, chapter accomplishments, why YOU should join, who should be a member, how to contact you, and when some upcoming events will be.
You might be successful in creating an integrated PR plan that capitalizes on the fraternity system – in which both chapters work together to increase awareness and plan a large-scale campus event. Then, hold a formal recruitment with one another.

Good luck. PM me if you would like assistance drafting an action plan or PR plan.